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Scores die in India temple crush | Scores die in India temple crush |
(about 2 hours later) | |
At least 147 people have been killed in a stampede at a Hindu temple in the north-western Indian state of Rajasthan, the state government says. | At least 147 people have been killed in a stampede at a Hindu temple in the north-western Indian state of Rajasthan, the state government says. |
Scores more were injured, many seriously, in the crush at the Chamunda Devi temple in Jodhpur. | |
A wall near the temple is said to have collapsed, causing panic among thousands of devotees marking the start of the Hindu Navaratra festival. | A wall near the temple is said to have collapsed, causing panic among thousands of devotees marking the start of the Hindu Navaratra festival. |
There have been a number of recent deadly stampedes at Indian temples. | There have been a number of recent deadly stampedes at Indian temples. |
Suddenly, people bunched up into one another and there was shoving and pushing... We fell on the ground Survivor Daulat Singh In pictures: India temple stampedeTimeline: Most deadly stampedes | |
The BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Delhi says this is the fourth time this year that lives had been lost - probably needlessly - during a stampede at a religious festival in India. | The BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Delhi says this is the fourth time this year that lives had been lost - probably needlessly - during a stampede at a religious festival in India. |
He says crowd control at such events is usually rudimentary and the police simply not trained in effective crowd management. | He says crowd control at such events is usually rudimentary and the police simply not trained in effective crowd management. |
Last month 140 pilgrims were killed in a stampede at a mountain temple in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh. | Last month 140 pilgrims were killed in a stampede at a mountain temple in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh. |
'Still buried' | 'Still buried' |
The Chamunda Devi temple is inside the huge 15th Century Mehrangarh Fort, high above Jodhpur's "blue city". | The Chamunda Devi temple is inside the huge 15th Century Mehrangarh Fort, high above Jodhpur's "blue city". |
It is popular with tourists and local people - particularly at this time, the start of the nine-day festival of Navaratra. | It is popular with tourists and local people - particularly at this time, the start of the nine-day festival of Navaratra. |
Before dawn, thousands of people had made their way to the hill-top temple overlooking the city. | Before dawn, thousands of people had made their way to the hill-top temple overlooking the city. |
It is not entirely clear why the stampede happened, but something triggered panic among men queuing in the narrow lane leading to the temple. | It is not entirely clear why the stampede happened, but something triggered panic among men queuing in the narrow lane leading to the temple. |
Hundreds rushed down the hill crushing those waiting at the bottom. | Hundreds rushed down the hill crushing those waiting at the bottom. |
"I was at the temple in a queue of people when, suddenly, people bunched up into one another and there was shoving and pushing," one survivor, Daulat Singh, told the BBC Hindi service. | |
"We fell on the ground, and on top of us, some 30 or 40 men fell. It was difficult to get people out." | |
Another man, Naresh Kumar Meena, said: "In front of the temple, there was some bamboo railing which collapsed. As soon as that happened, everyone near to it fell. There were also people pushing from behind." | |
Police and volunteers spent hours ferrying the injured for treatment | |
One official in Jodhpur said the collapse of a wall on the narrow path leading to the temple caused people to flee. There were also false rumours of a bomb, reports said. | |
Rajasthan's Home Secretary SN Thanvi said: "The stampede began when people lost their footing and set off a chain reaction." | Rajasthan's Home Secretary SN Thanvi said: "The stampede began when people lost their footing and set off a chain reaction." |
Television footage showed dozens of injured littering the streets. | Television footage showed dozens of injured littering the streets. |
With no first aid available at the scene, people tried desperately to resuscitate the unconscious as others scooped up bodies and took them to hospital. | With no first aid available at the scene, people tried desperately to resuscitate the unconscious as others scooped up bodies and took them to hospital. |
"When I arrived, I saw chaos, people running around the place. I was looking for my friend and after a while found him," local student Manish said. | "When I arrived, I saw chaos, people running around the place. I was looking for my friend and after a while found him," local student Manish said. |
"He was unconscious but without serious injuries." | "He was unconscious but without serious injuries." |
The authorities have ordered an investigation into the incident. | The authorities have ordered an investigation into the incident. |
Are you in Jodhpur? Did you witness the stampede at the Chamunda Devi temple? Send us your comments. | Are you in Jodhpur? Did you witness the stampede at the Chamunda Devi temple? Send us your comments. |